Thousands flock to London's Open House festival

By George Webster, CNN

Updated 7:09 AM ET, Tue September 25, 2012

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London's Open House weekend – London's Open House festival, which took place this weekend, affords Londoners the chance to nose around some of the UK capital's private and public houses, like this remodeled Victorian terraced family house in east London.

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Parkholme Road, Hackney – Owner, James Wright was giving scheduled tours of his converted Victorian home, which is distinctive for its sleek and minimalist interior.

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Rowe Lane, Hackney – Situated in the trendy borough of Hackney, this house designed by Marcus Lee incorporates thermal efficiency, solar heating and water recycling throughout the original structure.

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Sutton House, Hackney – Sutton House was built in 1535, when King Henry VIII ruled over England and this part of London -- now busy with cars and tower blocks -- was set against miles of open grassland.

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Sutton House, Hackney – One of the first Tudor homes to be made from brick, many of its original features -- including a vast stone fireplace and a wall of intricately carved dark wood panels -- remain to this day.

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The Granary, King's Cross – Open House weekend celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Hundreds of the city's most intriguing and architecturally significant buildings were open to the public, free of charge. Pictured here, a mixed-use development at the heart of a historic railway goods yard in King's Cross, where several new sustainably-built homes were on show.

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Sundridge Park, Bromley – A grand and imposing mansion built by Regency-era architect John Nash in 1797. Private homes, workplaces, government buildings, historical sites, educational establishments and many others -- most of which are not otherwise open to the public -- allowed locals and tourists alike a rare glimpse into their interiors.

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Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir, Wembley – Some of London's sacred spaces were also on display. This beautifully carved Hindu temple was opened in 2010 after 14 years of intricate construction. Made from imported Indian limestone, hand-carved in India and shipped to London for assembly by expert craftsmen, the construction is based on ancient Hindu scriptures.

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Barking Granary, Barking – Scattered across the breadth of London, the 750 Open House venues represent a cross-section of the city's architectural heritage, from timber-framed Tudor dwellings to the latest steel-clad contemporary towers. This restoration of a five-storey Victorian granary with its adjacent bronze-coated extension is a neat embodiment of both old and new.

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Suburbanstudio, Enfield – Among some of the award-winning structures on show were this timber-built "floating" garden studio. The building is a recent winner of the New London Architecture "Don't Move, Improve" award for best home extension.

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White Building, Hackney – Those keen to soak up some post-Olympic atmosphere had the chance to see some of the event's "legacy" building projects. Here, a former printworks on the canal opposite the Olympic Park has been converted into a cultural center with artist studios, events space, cafe and microbrewery.

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Red House, Bexleyheath – Those prepared to travel to London's farthest-flung quarters were well rewarded. The only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement -- with much original detail still in tact -- was open for all to see in Bexleyheath, south-east London.

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Story highlights

London Open House weekend offers chance to visit buildings and spaces otherwise closed to the public

Both private and public buildings open their doors in the annual event which attracts thousands of people

Private homes with novel selling points or redesigns prove equally popular as famous London landmarks

British architect Marcus Lee is sat on a deck chair outside his family home in east London as a steady queue of strangers casually wanders in and out, taking photographs, pointing at various items of furniture and systematically inspecting every last bedroom, bathroom and cupboard.

Lee is the brave owner of one of many hundreds of private homes, workplaces and municipal building scattered across London that opened their doors to the viewing public over the weekend for the capital city's annual "Open House" event.

The initiative, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, is designed to highlight some of London's most architecturally significant buildings -- the majority of which would otherwise be closed to the general public.

"It's the best way to get under the skin and become more knowledgeable about the capital's architecture," explains Victoria Thornton, founding director of Open House.

"It's a beautifully designed home, and I love how open the space is and how bright it is," said 21-year-old graphic design student Laura Coren.

"But, I have to admit, I also love looking at the photo albums on the wall, the book collection and all the stylish art works."

Lee's home is a new-build, incorporating the latest in rainwater capture systems and sustainable building methods. But just a few minutes down the road, in the trendy east-London borough of Hackney, is one of the city's most historic residences.

Sutton House was built in 1535, when King Henry VIII ruled over England and this part of London -- now busy with cars and tower blocks -- was set against miles of open grassland.

One of the first Tudor homes to be made from brick, many of its original features -- including a vast stone fireplace and a wall of intricately carved dark wood panels -- remain to this day.

"I think [Open House] is great for engaging local people with the architectural heritage of their community," says Robyn Finne, custodian of Sutton House on behalf of the UK's National Trust organization.

Finne explains that the building is part Tudor, part Georgian and part Victorian.

"In its time it has functioned as a home, a church, a school and even a squat ... it embodies the changing face of London," she said.

While many people are keen to immerse themselves in the hidden heritage of their hometown, others are simply looking for inspiration and a few DIY tricks.

Over the entire weekend, James Wright was giving scheduled tours of his converted Victorian home. Though distinctive for its sleek, minimalist interior, the conversion is exceptional for its application energy-saving and environmentally friendly materials.

"I'm participating in Open House because I want to inspire people to do the same with their home," he said.

During his tour, Wright explained in detail how to install evacuated solar water heating tubes and how best to insulate period sash window frames without diminishing their appearance.

But it wasn't enough. As soon as he'd finished talking, Wright was inundated with queries. In a typical exchange, an elderly man asked Wright if the paint he had used throughout was chemical free.

Before he could answer, another lady demanded to know: "And is it easily wipeable?"

On the buses and trains in between venues, fellow Open House attendees were identifiable by the conspicuous green guidebook in their hands.

"Even though you're being welcomed in, it sill feels a little bit naughty" said 29 year-old Londoner Becky Stevens, on her way to catch a glimpse from the top of the iconic "Gherkin" tower -- Norman Foster's elliptical skyscaper in London's financial district.

"Let the tourists stare up at Big Ben and the Tower of London," said Stevens, with a conspiratorial smile, "Open House is like a little secret treat for the locals."